NFL Week 12: Moving the Chains

Dan Anderson/EPAThe road to the Super Bowl -- at least on the NFC side -- appears as if it will go through New Orleans this year.When world leaders meet in Copenhagen next week to discuss global climate issues, perhaps one more item should be added to the agenda: the NFL playoff picture. Come January, when the temperature drops and the postseason heats up, the NFL might be exhibiting its own version of global warming.

If the regular season ended today, all but two playoff games would be played in warm-weather climates or indoors. The maximum number of games that could be played outdoors, in a city where the thermostat would drop, say, below freezing, is four — and that would mandate that someone knock off the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round and the wild cards win twice each in the NFC.

Though not always, playoff heroics in the NFL have often been associated with epic battles in frigid temperatures. The Ice Bowl of 1967 was played — literally — on frozen tundra at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. So was the 2007 NFC Championship Game in which the Giants beat the Packers in sub-zero conditions. Snow blanketed the field in 2001’s "Tuck Rule Game" in New England, and winter hats, gloves and jackets are standard-issue in the stands in cities like Chicago, Pittsburgh and Buffalo once the second season starts.

The reward for those chattering teeth and numb fingers is a berth in the Super Bowl, played under sunny skies in what must seem, comparatively, like a tropical paradise (the exception, of course, being Jacksonville).

Not this season.

Barring an unforeseen collapse, one of two teams that play indoors, the New Orleans Saints or Minnesota Vikings, will claim the home-field advantage in the NFC. At the least, the Superdome and Metrodome will host one playoff game apiece. The Arizona Cardinals look poised to host a first-round playoff game, and the Cowboys have the inside track to host a first-round game in Dallas.

In the AFC, the Colts are edging toward the No. 1 seed. The San Diego Chargers are battling the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 2 seed but are currently in position to host a first-round game, leaving the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos as the only teams left out in the cold in a potential first-round matchup if the postseason started this weekend.

This is shaping up to be a postseason of undershirts, not overcoats. No need to adjust that thermostat.

QUICK HITS

• Prior to Sunday, Vince Young and Matt Leinart had not faced each other in a game that mattered since their Rose Bowl matchup in January 2006. Nevertheless, the results were the same: Young leading a late drive — this time capping a 99-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Rutgers alum Kenny Britt as the clock hit zero — for the win. Both young quarterbacks have experienced highs and lows, bad games and benchings since breaking into the NFL in 2006. But Young, never more than Sunday, has shown the progress that will make him a legitimate NFL quarterback: In that Rose Bowl he used his legs to win the game; against the Cardinals, he passed for 94 of the 99 yards of that final drive. Since reclaiming the starting job five games ago, the Titans are 5-0 and Young’s passer rating is hovering above 90.

• Two veteran defensive backs, Denver’s Brian Dawkins and Green Bay’s Charles Woodson, came into their respective Thanksgiving Day games with a large appetite. They feasted on opposing offenses in leading their teams to wins crucial to maintaining position in the congested conference playoff races. Woodson, who, at 33, has seven interceptions and four forced fumbles in leading the NFL’s top takeaway defense, had seven tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovered against the Lions.

Dawkins charged the Broncos’ rout of the Giants by leading a players-only meeting prior to the game, then leading by example on the field to help crack a four-game losing streak. Dawkins had a team-high eight tackles and his inspired play helped to hold the Giants to just 267 yards of offense.

POWER RANKINGS

1. Saints (11-0)

Hard to imagine a more impressive statement than the one Drew Brees (five TD passes) and friends made Monday night against the Pats.

2. Vikings (10-1)

At this rate, Brett Favre (605 yards, seven TDs the past two weeks) will have the Vikings begging him to come back. Just the way he likes it.

3. Colts (11-0)

Overwhelming the Texans (a game-ending 35-3 run) is one thing, but will Peyton Manning (24 TDs this season) always be able to rally Indy?

4. Chargers (8-3)

Essentially a bye this Sunday (at Cleveland), but the following three weeks (at Dallas, vs. Cincinnati, at Tennessee) will be much more taxing.

5. Patriots (7-4)

Bill Belichick questioned his defense with his fourth-and-2 call against Indy. Everyone has their doubts about that unit after Monday night.

6. Cowboys (8-3)

A victory at the Giants would be a win-win for Dallas: a huge step toward an NFC East title, and all but dashing Giants’ playoff hopes.

7. Bengals (8-3)

Kudos for an offensive line that has created gaping holes for every RB Cincy has used (Cedric Benson, Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott).

8. Eagles (7-4)

Philly continues to overcome playmakers’ injuries. They might have to again if WR DeSean Jackson and TE Brent Celek can’t play vs. Falcons.

9. Titans (5-6)

RB Chris Johnson must average 142 yards during the final five games — not a stretch — to equal Eric Dickerson’s league-record of 2,105 yards.

10. Cardinals (7-4)

Playing the Vikings, even at home, doesn’t seem like the best way to get past the lingering effects of giving up a game-winning 99-yard drive.